Cabinet-bedstead



(No Model.)

J. LOWTH.`

CABINET .BEDSTEAD.

No'. 268,082.' Patented Nov. 28, 1882.

N. PEYERS, PhnwLiqhognpmr. wnhinglen'. D c

UNITED STATES @PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES LOWTH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CABINET-BEDSTEAD.

4SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 268,032, dated November 28, 1882.

Application filed March 1S, 188:2. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: i

Be it known that I, JAMES LoW'rH, of Ghicago, in the county ofGook and State of Illinois,

i have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Parlor Uabinet-Bedsteads, of which the following, in connection with the accom panying drawings, is a specification.

In the drawings, Figure] is a side elevation of a bedstead embodying my invention, showing the same unfolded; Fig. 2is a top or plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is a section in the plane of the line w x of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4`is a side elevation of the parts in their folded positions,

. a part of the case being represented as broken when notin use.

away to snow some of the interior parts. t

Like letters of reference indicate like parts. M'y invention relates to that class of bedsteads intended for use in parlors vor other rooms in which it may be deemed" desirable, both for the purpose of giving the appearance of propriety of furniture, and for economizin g room, to have the bedstead stand vertically Bedsteads of this class have heretofore consisted of avertical case or cabinet finished on its exterior to correspond to the class of furniture usually arranged in parlors or sitting rooms, and containing afolding mattress-support, which, when folded, had the appearance of forming a part of the cabinet, and when unfolded would support the mattress horizontally or in position for use. Provision has also been made for conveniently inclosing 'the mattress, pillowsand bedding in the cabinet when they were not in use. Various means have been employed for facilitating the lowering and raising of the folding parts.

My present invention relates particularly to the means employed for the purpose last above referred to; and it'consists in those features of construction hereinafter set forth as novel in my claims.

A represents the vertical case or cabinet, which, though portable, is intended to be stationary while in use.

B is the folding mattress-support, hinged suitably at or near its lower end to the cabinet, so that the said support may stand upright therein when not inuse and be arranged horizontally for use somewhat above the floor.

C is a rod extending across the support B and projecting a little way beyond the sides thereof. This rod is capable of turning axially in the said support, and D D are legs rigidly attached `to the projecting ends of the said rod, or moving therewith.

E is a coiled spring around one end of the rod C. One end of the spring E is secured to the rod C and the other to one side of the support B. I locate the rod C, by preference, at or near the center of gravity of the support O, or about midway between the ends of the said support, as shown. In length the legs D D are such as to reach or nearly reach the floor when the support B is folded or in its upright position, and to then extend somewhat above the rodC, as indicated in Fig. 4. Ou thelower ends of the legs are rollers or casters a a, and on the upperends are thecurvedextensionsa'a.

F F are vertical vribs or moldings between the folded support B and the case A; Thelower ends of these moldings are then nearly in contact with the upper ends of the legs and inv front of the extensions a a'.

G is a molding extending across the outer end or foot of theunfolded support B,and projecting beyond the sides thereof'.

H is a knob or button on one of the legs. This knob is located, as shown, below the rod C.

I I are-blocks or stops applied to the case A, and located to be in contact with the extensions a a when the support B is in its upright position. The force ot' the spring E is such and its force is exerted in such a direction as to nearly overbalance the weight of the horizontally-arranged part B and the bedding thereon. In other words, it cooperates with the rod C and the legs in such a manner as to tend to return the horizontally--arranged' parts to their upright position and falls just short of so doing, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The legs and partB should be iiush with each other and the front of the case or cabinet when the folding `parts are standing vertically in order to present a neat and finished appearance; but in this as well as iu many other respects the bedstead may be made in any suitable or well-known way employed in the construction of furniture of this class.

It will be perceived from the foregoing description and from reference to the drawings that the folding parts will stand vertically in the case or cabinet and be nearly at an equipoise. The extensions a a/,passing up be by the spring E, vwhich therefore, besides per forming its other functions, aids in keeping the parts upright.

To unfold or lower the part B, take hold of the knob or button H and draw out the lower parts of the legs slightly. This will carry the extensions a c back from the ribs F F and allow the upper end of the part B to tilt forward. This will throw the parts off their equipoise and they fall to their horizontal positions. The fall, however, will be resisted by the spring E, for the lower ends of the legs will move forward, owing to the weight supported by them and to the fact that they have been drawn forward of the center of gravity. As the legs move forward this movement coils the spring E tighter, so thatits tension or supporting-power increases. By this means the parts descend very gently to their horizontal positions, or until the ends-of the molding Gr rest 0n the lower or forward parts of the legs.

To raise the parts to their vertical or up- '.right position, lift the foot of the part B gently and follow it up with the hand until it is in its position in the case A.' The spring E will carry nearly all the weight, and its tension will diminish asthe parts move toward the center of gravity. The lfolding parts may thus be raised and lowered with great ease. The blocks I I, being located as shown and described, aidv the act of starting the folding parts forward, for, as the legs are drawn out when the knob H is grasped for that purpose, the upper ends of the legs bear against the said blocks, and the legs operate as levers in aid ofthe first part ofthe forward movement. As the extensions c a enter the case they move between the moldings F F and the blocks II. No special provision need be made for keeping the case upright.

I do not regard the blocks or stops I I as essential, but deem it preferable to employ them for the purpose set forth. Neither are the extensions a a absolutely necessary. It is also obvious that other detailsof construction herein shown and described need not be followed with particularity in order to reduce my invention t0 practice, and I do not therefore here intend to restrict myself thereto; but,

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in a cabinet-bedstead, of a vertical case or cabinet, a folding mattresssupport, the legs D D, pivoted to the said support by means of a rod or pivot, C, rigidly attached to one or both of the said legs, and the coiled neutralizing-spring E, having one end attachedto the said support and the other to the said rod or pivot, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The combination, in a cabinet-bcdstead, with the folding 'support B, of the yielding folding legs D D, pi'voted to the central part of the said support and extending to the-fioor when the part B stands vertically in its case, and one or more neutralizing-springs, E E, operating in conjunction with the said legsv and support B for the'purpose of counterbalancing the weight of the latter while it is being foldedand unfolded, substantially as specitied.

3. The combination, in a cabinet-bedstead,

of the folding support B, the folding legs D D,

having on their upper ends the extensions a a', and the ribs or moldings F F, located in the case or cabinet, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

y' JAMES LOWTH.

Witnesses:

F. F. WARNER, H. 'FRANKFURTER r 

